CONTEXT CLUES
Sometimes when reading, you might run across an unfamiliar word. When this occurs, you can use context clues to help decipher the meaning of the word. Context clues are hints in a text that can help define a word.
Context Clue #1 — EXAMPLE: Sometimes an author will give an example of a word after it is used. A specific example can often help clarify the meaning of a word.
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What does the word hybrids mean?
This example helps indicate that the word hybrid refers to something made out of two different elements.
Context Clue #2 — DEFINITION: The unfamiliar word is defined in the same sentence or in a sentence that is close by in the text. This is generally the most helpful type of context clue.
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What does the word nomads mean?
DEFINITION:
- [people who] frequently relocat[e] to different areas throughout the year instead of staying in one fixed place.
Context Clues #3 & 4 — ANALOGY (Antonyms/Synonyms): Analogies can help show the relationship between words. An antonym is a word that has an opposite meaning while a synonym is a word that has the same or a similar meaning to another word. Understanding antonyms and synonyms of different words can help clarify their meanings.
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What does the word melancholy mean?
ANTONYM
- (...) sunshine and clear skies were what made her happy.
The word happy means delighted or pleased
The word melancholy means gloomy or depressed.
What does the word reprimanded means?
The word reprimanded means "scolded" or "lectured."